Feb. 06--ST. LOUIS -- A former fire official of both the St. Clair Fire District and the Ladue Fire Department pleaded guilty to federal charges Wednesday and admitted stealing more than $500,000 from the St. Clair district from January 2006 through September 2011.
Eric Hinson, 43, of St. Clair, admitted that he took out "significant" cash advances on a district credit card, used that district card for family vacations to Florida and Hawaii as well as entertainment and limo rentals. He also used district money for payments on his truck, for furniture and for other personal purchases, prosecutors said. He covered up his theft by altering accounting records, Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith said in court as Hinson bowed his head.
Hinson pleaded guilty Wednesday to one count of mail fraud and five counts of tax evasion. Hinson admitted filing false tax returns for tax years 2006-2010, failing to report the $593,236.42 he embezzled as income and dodging $132,383 in taxes due, Goldsmith said.
During the hearing, Hinson lawyer Jeff Jensen said that lawyers are still looking at financial records, and may argue that Hinson took less than prosecutors claim.
At his sentencing May 2, Hinson faces 33 to 41 months in prison under federal sentencing guidelines.
The St. Clair district serves an area along Interstate 44, about 50 miles southwest of St. Louis, with a combination of paid firefighters and volunteers using four stations.
Hinson's purchase of a $55 pair of boots for his son originally triggered questions about Hinson's spending, current Treasurer Dave Berkel told the Post-Dispatch last month
Berkel said that the district has had to cut spending and put off maintenance due to Hinson's theft.
Hinson started as a volunteer firefighter with St. Clair in 1985. He became treasurer in 1999 and added the chief's title in January 2011. The part-time chief's job paid roughly $25,000.
In July 2011, he became chief in Ladue, and worked both job until his resignations that September because of the investigation.
There has been no claim of financial improprieties at Ladue.
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